Gauge



March 22 1927.

l.. K. SNT-:1.1L4

GUGE

` Filed sept. 19, 1923 9 Sheets-sheet 1 4 @hum/V601,

r @Wozu m.

March 22 1927.

| K. SNELL GAUGE Filed sept'.

19, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheetl 2 March 1,621,759 K. SNELL GAUGE Filed sept, 9, 192; @sheets-sheet s March 22, 1927.

Gtkozu 913 1,6219759 l.. KSNELI..4 l f GAUGE March 22 9 1927.

Filed sept't 19, 1923 .9 sheets-sheet 5 n we MM March 22 1927.

L.. K. SNELL GAUGE Filed Sept. 19, 1925 9 Sheetst-Sheet 7 Hala.

March 22, 1927',

| K. sNELL GAUGE lsa sheets-sheet e 7 F'iledSept. 19, 1925 March 22 1927.

- K. SNELL GAUGE 9 sheets-smet 9 Filed Sept.

fnd@

Patented lidar.. 22, i

www.

eenen.

Application led September ttl, 1923. Serial lo. 8635557.

This invention relates to apparatus' for indicating pressures and liquid levels and to* devices of more general application which maybe used in connection therewith.

lt is one of the objects of the invention to prov-ide a liquid level gauge especially i adapted for use on a motor vehicle to indi-V ,4 provide an improved liquid level cate the level of the fuel in the fuel tank or the level of the oil in the motor or the level of any other liquid carried by the vehicle. p Y

A further object of the invention is to auge especially adapted for use on motor ve icles employing the pressure feed system for the fuel; also to provide a gauge for this class of service which will include an indicator for the pressure in the fuel tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gauge of the utmost simplicity,l

one that will have the minimum. number of movable parts requiring fixed `.bearingsV and a gauge that will withstand the severe conditions of motor vehicle service without having its accuracy aiiected.

A further object of the `invention is to provide a form of gauge construction that WillT lend itself readily to modern manufacturing methods for production on a large scale and at a comparatively low cost.

. Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved pump in connection 'with the auge and to rovide 'an im roved form g P P Fig. 2 is an enlargement of a fragment of Fig. 1 with certain parts shown in section; -Fig 9, is an elevation ot' parts shown in Fig. 2; as seen from the legit;

i. ig. 2 is an enlargement of a fragment of F ig. 2;

l Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vsection through the gauge illustrated in Figs. 2 and 2a, this gauge embodying features ot my invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of one of the parts ot the gauge shown in Fig. 3;

Fig, 4l is a transverse section of the gauge on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a fragment of with a p slight modification shown. Y

Fig. 5 isa longitudinal section on theline 5*--5 ot Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the gauge asseen from the left of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line 7--7 ci Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a plan view, with certain parts in section, of the features of my invention associated with the fuel tank;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a fuel tank embodying my invention, the section lbeing .on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

my invention; f Fig. 11 is an elevation thereof, as seen from the 'left of Fig. 10;

` Figflf is a longitudinal section on the line 12"-12 ofFig. l0; v Fig. 13 is a transverse section on the line 13-l3`oi Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a diilerentform of pump and also illustrating the form of gauge shown in Fig. 10

Fig. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the pump illustrated in Fig. lll.

Fig. 16 is avertical section through a fuel tank embodying a feature of the invention utilized with the gauge illustrated in Fig. 10.. Fig. 17 is a plan view of one of the details shown in Fig. 16; i

Fig. 18 is a section through the samev prior Fig. l9is a sectional view ofa tank and a device ttor securing thereto the part villustrated in Figs. 17 and 18; and

2G is a plan view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawings and particuf larly to Fig. l, l have illustrated, in faint outline an automobile having a fuel tank 30 supported at the rear thereof and the usual' dash 31 which carries a hand pump 32 such to its attachment to the tank shown in Fig.`

icc

75 Fig. l0 is a longitudinal sectional view through another form of rgauge embodying as is commonly employed on the Cadillac automobile for supplying Apressure to the fuel supply-system. One of the pipes of this i i fuel 'supply system is illustratedat 33 and as 10, tank 30 for the purpose offorcing the fuel up to the motor. My invention is especially adapted for use the details-of this system form nogpa'rt of the present invention they have not been illustrated on the drawings land will not be described. It will be understood, however, that the purpose of the pump 32 is to apply pressure to the surface of the fuel in the where it is desired t have a gauge on the dash 31 that -will accurately indicate the level or quantity of' fuel in the tank 30, andin Fig. 1 I have illustrated a gauge 34 that is connected bysmall pipes with the tank 30. The specific arrangement of these pipes will be described hereinafter. A

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 it will be noted that I mount on the" top of the tank 30 a fitting 35 that is 'secured thereto in any suitable manner that will provide an airtight joint connection. There is an opening 36 inthe top of the tankl and throuvih this opening there projects the stem 37 wiich is a part of a fitting 38 that-ils secured on the fitting 3 5 b screws 39. A gasket 40 may be arran edy under the fitting 38 to provide an airtigt joint.` A pipe 41 of comparativel small bore is secured to the stem 37 and asv at its lower end an enlargement 42,

the lower end of which is open to the interior of the tank and arranged close to the bottom thereof. As will be noted especially from fitting 35 has a cylindrical chamber 43 therein ,which has communication with the interior of the tank 30 by means of a plurality of relatively small holes 44. Within the chamber 43 there are two diaphragms 45 and 46 which are perforated by several small openings, as indicated at 47, with the openin in the dia hragms in staggered relation.

rejecting fhrwardly from the fittin 35 is an externally threaded extension 48 having an opening 49 therethrough and to which there is attached a vshort tube 50 having its end flattened, as indicated at51\, to lprovide a. straightl narrow opening prefera ly not over a hundredth of an inch in width. i The end 5,1 of the tube 50 is raised above the diaphragm 46 and the purpose of this arrangeinent andl of the perforated diaphragme and` 46, aswell as `the small perforations 44 in the top of the tank, is to insure against angleof the Aliquid-fuel from getting into the tu 50. The staggering of the openings 47, in the diaphragms 45 and 46,assists in preventing the fuel from getting intokthe upper part of the chamber V43 in which thetubc is arranged. V

The fitting 38 has a forward extension 52 of tubular form and'provided with athreaded exterior to which the pipe-53 is connected by means of the, coupling 54 which is of common construction. A pipe 55 is connected to the extension 48-by a coupling 56 and the pipes 53 and 55 are brought together and secured to one end of the fitting 57, as-

shown in Fig. 8. A pipe 58 is connected lto the opposite end of the fit-tingV 457and has arranged therein a small tube or pipe 59 which is connected with the pipe 53. `The kpipe 59 should haveavery small bore and l recommend the smallest commercial tubing thatcanl be obtained.v By running the tube`l 59 through the pipe 58 I simplifythework of running these .pipesfrom the fuel tank' 30 to the gauge 34 and the pipe 58 serves to protect `the pipe 59-.against injury due to the external blows from'any source.

Referring now to Fig. 2 it will-be noted that the pipes v58 and 59 extend toa fitting 60, similar-to the fitting 5,7, the pipe 59 lieing in communication with a short tubl in the same manner that thefop ositev endiis lconnected with the pipe 53, ass own in FI 8. A pipe 62 is--a'lso connected with fthejtting 60 in the same manner, that/the tube- 55 is connected with the fitting 57, which provides a connectonbetwleen the tubes 55 and 62 with theinteriorof the pipe 58. The

tube 6l connects'with afitting 63 to which the pipes 64 and 65 are also connectedsqas to be 1n communication 'withthe tube6l.f

The gauge 34 has two tubular connections 66 and 67 at the back .thereof (see Fig. 5) and the pipe 62 is attached to the connection 66 by means of the coupling 68. 'Thepipe is attached` tothe yconnection 67 by a coupling similar to 68. The pipe 64 is connected with a valve body 69 by'ineans of the cou ling' 70 and the valve bodyj69v is, by

pre erence, attached directly to .the discharge connection 71 of the pump" I32,. The pipe 33 vis connected to lthe valve body 69 by the coupling 72.

The`constructionof the gauge 34 will now be described and in this connection refern ence is made to Figs. 3 to 7 in which it will be noted that the housing or `shell of the..

gauge consists of a cylindrical cup having an inturned flange y73 at its open endend providedwith an external screwethrad 74 for the Abezel 75 which securesv thaw-glass front 76 to the shell. The periphery ofthey glass 76 is beveled, as indicated at 77, andl the bezel 75 is correspondingly beveled to tJthe periphery of the glass and rovcle an attractive finish as well as to re ucc vthe 137 the bezel. A gasket7 8 is arranged between the inner surface of the glass 76 and the Hange 73 and provides anairtight joint between the glass 76 and the shell of the gauge. A'mounting or support 7 9 for the-internal parts of the gauge carries the tubular con-I nections 66aI1d-07 which project through openings in thej'end wall of the shell of the gauge. The support 7 9 is secured in position by means of the nuts-80'and 81 on the tubular connections 66 and 67, a gasket `82 being provided on the interior of the -shell, for the purpose of making an airtight joint.

As shown in Fig. 5 the bore 83 of the tubular vconnection 66 has communication 'with' the interior of the gauge.- The bore 84 of the tubular connection 67" extendsthrough the support 79 and connects with a trans verse passage 85 in the support 7 9, this passage. being formed by drilling the sup ort and then closing the outer end of the ole .thus formed by means of a plug 86. The

support 79 has bosses 87 and 88 on its upper and lower. sides, respectively, these bosses being bored and screxvithreaded to receive the hollow plugs 89 and 90, respectively. The bore ofthe boss'88 is connected with l the passage 85 by a small port- 91 which may be formed by drilling. The bore of the boss 87 is connected with a transverse passage 92 in the support 79 by a small port 93. The passage 92 connects with a passage 94 in the support 79 (see Fig. 5) which extends to the rear of the gauge and communicates with the external atmosphere through the aligned ports 95 in the back wall of the shell of the gauge and the gasket 83. vThe passage 92 may be formed by drilling and the outer end of the hole thus formedvmay be closed by a plug 96.

A. dial 97 is secured to the laterally projectinglarms 98 and 99 on the support 79, by the screws 100. The dial 97 is provided .with an arcuate offsetv 101 so that the upper and lower portions of the dial are in different planes.

Referring 'to Fig. 6 it will be noted that a scale 102 is provided on the upper portion of the dial immediately` above the offset 101 and another scale 108 is provided directly beneath the scale 102. .ll prefer to utilize the y scale 102 to indicate the level of the fuelin the tank 30 or the quantity of the fuel in the tank, 4the two being substantially equivalent. The scale l0?, is pre i'erably used to indicate tbepressure in the tank 30.

A U-shaped member` or yoke 104 is secured to the support 79 by means of the dowels 105 and 106, tbe ends of the support being recessed, as indicated at 107 and 108 to receive the uprigbts of the member 104. A lug 109 is pressed out Jfrom the member 104 and has a tapered bearing 110 formed therein for one end of a shaft 111, the opposite end of this shaft ,being tapered andsupported in the adjustable bearing i12-that is carried by the member 104. The shaft 111 has secured thereon a hub 113 on which -is mounted the indicating hand 114 which cooperates with the scale 102? The shaft 111 also carries a hubv 115 to which the inner end of a spiral hair spring 11G is' attached, the

opposite end of this spring being secured t'o the member, as indicated at lli, and the ten.

sion'in the spring heilig such as to tendy to rotate the shaft- 111 in the clockwise direction, as the parts are seen in Fig.4. i

A small bracket 118 (seeFigs 3 and 7) is. secured to the member 104 by screws 119 and carries one end of a short shaft 120, inthe bearing 121, the opposite end of .this shaft being mounted ina bearing 122 in the member 104. Thefshaft 1,20 carries' a hub 123 to which the hand `124 is attached, the Vlatter hand cooperating with the scale 103. The

shaft also carries .a hub 125 t9 which the inner -end' of a spiral hair spring 126 is attached, the' outer end of this spring being hooked under the lower edge of the bracket 118 in a Amanner similar to that used in 'anchoring the spring 116 lat the point 117.-

The spring 126-is sotensioned as to rotate the shaft 120 in the clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. '6. v

. A hollow diaphragm A, consisting of two circular corrugated discs 127 and 128 having flanged peripheries which are telescoped and sealed in any suitable manner, has its cen-v trai portion soldered or otherwise affixed to the upper end of the plug 89" (see Fig. 4). The opposite side of this hollow diaphragm has soldered or -otherwise secured thereon,

at .the center, a stud 129, the upper end of which is b'ifurcated to receive the lever 130 which is pivotally connected to the stud by One end ofthe lever 130 is the pin 131. fulcrumedin the opening 132 inthe upper end of one armgof the member 104. The op-` posite end of the lever 130 is provided with' an eye 133 which receives the upperend of a wire or filament 134, the lower portion of which is attened into the form of avery thin ribbon preferably about 0.0004 of an inch thick. The upper end of this lwire may be 'roundand ll prefer to make the wire of nickel or phosphor bronze. The flattened part of the wire 184 is wrapped around and secured to the shaft 120, asv indicated at '135.

Whi'e l' pretex-` to use a metallic wire. flattened described. 'for the member lill. yet a thread, of silk or other fibrous material, of a very pliable nature may be employed provided it suhstantiall \v iuexteusible under the tension to which it is subjected4 in the gauge.

A hollow diaphragm ll, consisting of the corrugated discs `130 aud 137. which bare flanged .peripheries that are telescoped aud `sealed in any suitable manner, has the centerv of the disc 137 soldered or otherwisesecured interior of the iaphragm Ais, at`all times, subjected to external latmospheric pressure.

to the plug 90. At the center of the disc 136 there is soldered or otherwise secured a stud 138 which is preferably bifurcated and carries the pin 139. The upper end of a wire or filament 140 is hooked Aover the. pin 139 and this wire is preferably of similar construction to the 'wire 134, having its lower portion flattened and wrapped around and secured. to the shaft 111. (See also Fig. 3.) A perforation at the' center of the disc 137 registers with the hole inthe plug 90 so that the interior of the diaphragm B is, at all times, in communication with thepassage 85and the bore 84 of the extension 67. This means that the interior of the diaphragm B is in communication with the pipe 59 which has communication, as previously described, with Athe pipe 53 and with the pipe 41 inthe tank .3 0 and the chamber in the member 42 so that the pressure in the member 42 will be transmitted by the air in the'various pipes to the interior of the diaphragm B. n A perforation at the center of the disc 128 registers with a hole in the plug 89 and and the interior vof the diaphragm A is thereby, placed in communication with the passage 92l and, by means of the passage 94, with the exte al atmosphere so that the Referring to Figs. 2A and 2b, it will be obl served that the valve body 69 has a bore I1 41 extending-longitudinally of the bodv1 and var ing in diameterat different po ts in f th ll l d but any 0 e mr pumps sua y emp oyef of the air will pass lnto the pressure feed its ength. At the middle of the valve body there is a chamber 142 which communicates with the bore '141 and this chamber receives the .air compressed in the pump 32 by the operation o the plunger 143. The details of the pump 32v are not illustrated because pose to be hereinafter described I make the opening in the plug 151, for the stem 150,

only slightly larger than the stem. In the opposite end of the valve body 6 9 is a valve 153 similar in construction to the valve 147 pump 32 is operated, air, under pressure in the chamber 42, will 'lift the valves 147 and 153 off their seats and the air will then ilOw out through the pipes 33 and 64.

In the operation of the gauge Aabove described it is desirable that the chamber in the member 42, as well'as the interior of the diaphragm B and the entire length of conduit connecting these two, be maintained at all times substantially filled with air or, some other gaseous iiuid and, in order to replace any air that may be absorbed by the liquid in the chamber 42 or otherwise lost, I have.

provided the above described connection between the discharge-side of the pmp32 and said conduit so that whenever the pump 32 is actuated to suppl pressure tothe tank 30 a small amount o air will also be forced into said conduit and yanyeztcessover that required to entirely lill the conduit and the chamber "of the member 42 and any sur lus will escape from the latter into the body of liquid in the tank 30. B providing a very` restricted passage throng the plug 151 and a relatively large passage through vthe plug 155 I insure that only a small proportion of theyv forni/no part of the present inventiri, *the ail' deleed by the Puml '32 Will Pass the tubular valve seats 145,and--146 are secured therein' by being for'ed into position.

A valve 147 has a tubular end 148 which is telescoped over` the end of the seat'145 but is spaced from the latter to provide an annular passage for air discharged through the seat 145. A disc 149, of rubber-or other i suitable material, is arranged in the tubular end 148 of the valve and cooperates with the adjacent end of the seat 145 to form a seal and prevent the back How of -air tothe chamber 142. The valve 147 has a stem 15() s which projects through a plug 151 that is screwed into the valve body and forms a stop for one end of the spring 152, the opposite end of which abuts against/a shoulder on the valve 1147 to force. the latter4 against the end of the seat member 145. For a purinto the gauge system and t "e great bulk system of which the pipe 33 is a part.A I also regulate the distribution of the air discharge by the pump 32 by the tension on the Vsprings 152 and 1156, thetension of the latter being preferably more than that of the former.

The novel construction of the valves 147 and 153 whereby' the discs 149 and 154 are entirely enclosed bythetubular extensions ofthe valves, insures against a stoppage, of the relatively restricted passages. by expansion of these discs. Experience with rubber valves in the past has shown that under the action of oil they swell up and such swelling frequently closes the" passages through the valve or seriously restricts'them. By having the discs .149 and 154 housed in the tubular extensions ofthe valves there is insurance ally and, tl'ierefore, not aiiect the operation of the valves.V`

In the operation ofthe gauge, the pres-` sure in the tank iis transmitted to the interior or' thezshell ot the gauge by the pipe system above described so that this ypressure acts upon the. exterior ot the -diaphragms A.

and B. The shell ot the gauge is airtight,

as previously described, so that thepressure tank 30 andwithin the shell of the gauge.

by an amountequivalent to the hydrostatic head of fuel "in the tank. Ihis excess `of pressure on the interior ot the diaphragm B expands the latter', that is, separates the discs 136 and 137 by an amount dependent entirely upon said excess of pressure. rIhe expansion of the diaphragm B'slackens the tension in Vthe Wire 146. and the spring 116 rotates the shaft 111 sufficiently to take up 2theslack in the Wire 140. The rotation of the shaft 111 carries the hand 114l to the righ-t,in Fig.. 6, to a point on the scale 102 corresponding to the level of the fuel in the tank 30. As the fuel is Withdrawn from the tank-30 the hydrostatic head on the member 42 decreases and with it the excess of pressu're on the interior of the diaphragm B and hence the latter contracts and,tthrough the Wire 140, rotates the hand 114 toward the left so that the latter willl at all times accu-` rately indicate the hydrostatic head of fuel in the tank 30. The, scale 102 is, of course, calibrated in accordance with the capacity ofthe tank 30 at the different levels and the calibration of the scale 102 may indicate either the quantity of fuel in the tank or the level of the fuel therein.

Since the interior of the shell vofthe gauge 34 is subjected tothe pressure of the air in the tank 30 it is convenient to combine with the gauge means for indicating the pressure of air and the diaphragm A has been provided for this purpose. Since the pressure in the tank 30 exceeds the atmospheric pressure I open the 'interior of the diaphragm A to the atmosphere, as above described, and therefore the pressure 'on the outside of this diaphragm tends to collapse it and depress the tree end ot the lever 130. This slackens .the Wire 134 and permits the spring 12,6 to

rotate the shaft 120 andthe hand 124 to the right, in Fig. 6, to a point where the hand indicates the pressure on the scale 103. 1When pressure in the tank 30 is reduced the -fiexibility in the diaphragm B causes the latter to expand and thus return the hand 124 toward its zero poipt where the pressure outside the diaphragm is equal to that inside,7

In' order to prevent injury to the discs forming the diaphragm B, due to excessive expansion, I provide a supporting rib at 159 on the lower side of 'the support 79 to b ack up or reinforce the disc 137. I also secure to the support 79"a plate 160, by

means of screws 161'and arrange-this plate just below the diaphragm B land thereby limit the expansion of the diaphragm.

In Fig. 4a I have illustrated a m0dification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, to

take care of an excessive contraction of the diaphragm B. When the fuel tank 30 is empty the hand 114 will register zero and rest against the 'stop pin 4162 on the dial 97. The pressure Will then be equalized on the inside and outside of the diaphragm B and inA order to avoid injury to the parts due to further contraction of thev diaphragm a spring 163 may be inserted between the upper 'end of the wire 140 and the pin 139.

Under normal conditions the spring 163 is fully contracted and it is not opened except upon an excessive contraction of the dialphragm B. On 'account of the hand 114 beingagainst the stop 162 such further con- 163, tend to either bend the hand 114 or disarrange some of its operating parts. The same result may be attained'by arranging the discs 136 and 137 so that they are in contact traction ofthe diaphragm would, in the ab- -sence of a safety device such as the spring Whenever the pressure is equalized inside and outside of the diaphragm, ``With these discs in contact there is, of course, no opportunity for further contraction of the diaphragm.

In practicing my invention it is highly',l

desirable that the amount of air Within -the diaphragm B andthe passages by which this diaphragm is connected with the chamber in the member 42, be as `small as practicable in order to avoid errors due to' expansion and contraction ot this air on account of extreme changes in temperature. It will be apparent that the'greater the amount of air in these parts of the apparatus, the more Will be the expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and this contraction and expansion affects the level of the liquid in the 'chamber of the member l42 or, in other ivords, aiiects the pressurein the gauge system due to any given quantity of liquid in the tank 30. The gauge measures the difference in level between the liquidin the chamber of the member 42 and in the tank 30 so that any condition Which varies the level in the member 42, from the nor` 'A and the length ot the member 42 should not be greater than that required to prevent the treme temperature conditions. The cross sectional area of the chamber in the member 42 should be such that the volume of that 'art of the chamber in which `the liquid is the diaphragm B and the conduit connecting it with said chamber and I would recommen thatthe ratio of these volumes be not less than to 1.

The volume of the chamber 43 of the litting is so proportioned relative to the voltime of the gauge and the conduit connecting it with the chamber 43 as to prevent fuel from being drawn into the pipes 55 and 58, when the tank30 is full of fuel, by a. shrinkage in the volume of air due to changes in 'temperature liable to be encountered when the vehicle is suddenly taken ,from a warm temperature out into below-zero weather, or under'other conditions.

' The form of the invention illustrated in Figs.l 10 to 16 is especially adapted for the so-called vacuum feed system for automobiles. In such systems, which are wellknown, the fuel is drawn from the tank at the rear of the vehicle to a smail reservoir, near the vehicle motor, by means of suction, the fuel in the tank'at the rear being'subjected, atall times, to atmospheric pressure.

Referring to Fig. 16 it will vbe noted that lthe fuel tank 30 has a member 164 to which there is secured a tting by means of the. screws 166. T e ttin'g 165 carries a pipe 167 which extends into the tank 30 and carries the cylindrical member 42, this arrangement being similar 4to the form of the invention previously described. A h orizontal bore 168 in the member 165 communicates with the pipe 167 and has secured therein a pipe 169 which leads to the gauge on the dash 31 of the vehicle. This gauge consists of a casing or shell 170 having at its front end an inturned ange 171 'against which the glass 172 abuts.y This glass is secured in position by means of the bezel 17 8 which has screwed connection with the exterior of the shell 170, as indicated at .174. No effort is made to provide an airtight connection between the glass 172 and the `flange 171, as in the form of the invention previously/described, since in the resent case, the interior of the gauge is sub]ected to the pressure of the external atmosphere. A mounting or support 175 is arranged within the shell 170 and has an externally threaded extension 176 which projects through the back wall of the shell and whereby the support 175 is rmly secured, a nut 177 on the extension'176 cooperating with'the shoulder 178 on the support tol clamp the latter to the yback wall of the shell.

' I have illustrated, as a convenient means for securing the gauge to the `dash 31. the

able to rise is greatly in excess oi. that of U-shaped member. 179, the ends of which nur 'against "the dash, as indicatedaf iso tension 'securing the gauge, with the angeY 183 ofthebezel .abutting the face of the dash31. l p

The pipe 169 mayv be connected-directly with the extension 176'by means of a common form of couplin 4such as illustrated 'at 184 in Fig. 14, but pipe 169 with a `Y fitting 185 from whichthe pipes 186 and 187 lead, respectively, to the pump 188 and to the coupling 184. f

The support 175 and its extension 176 are provided with an opening 189 with which the pipe 187 communicates. Ahollow plug 190 is screwed into a suitable open-` ing therefor in the lower side of the support 175 and to this plug the-corrugateddisc 191 of the hollow diaphragm C is soldered or otherwise secured. The diaphragm C also comprises the corrugated disc 192 and the discs 191 and v192 have anged peripheries which are telcscoped' together and sealed in any suitable manner. An opening 193 in the support 175 places the interior of the diaphragm C in communication with the opening 189, there being a4 perforation at the center ofthe disc 191 in registration with the ries a circular ange 194 againstwhich the 'upper surface of the disc 191 abuts'.

over which the 'wire 197 is hooked. The

upper portion of this wire may be of circular or other desired cross section but the Ylower portion is preferably flattened in the same manner as described in connection with the wires 134 and 140 and the endl of the flattened portion of the wire is wrapped around andfsecurdto the shaft 198.

Thesupport 175 hasadownwardly projecting lug '199 which has a transverse slot prefer to connectthe #hole in the plug 190. The support 175 carllt@ 20() and carries two dowels 201. One arm of a bracket 202 is supported on the dowels 201 and the other arm is supported on two dowels 203 and` abuts against the front end of the support 175. A dial 204 is secured to they member 202 by meansof the screws 205. 'lug 206 is punched up from thematerial of the member 202 and carries one end ofthe'shaft 198 in a conical bearing. 'llhe opposite end ofthis shaft is supported in a` hooked over theedge of the member 202, as

indicated at 210. The shaft 198 also carries a hub member 211".- adjacent the'dial 204 and this hubmember carries an indicating hand 212 which plays over the scale 213 on the dial A plate 214 has one end supported in the slot `200 of the lug 199 and the opposite end secured in an opening 215 in the member `202. The plate 214 has a central opening ln this form ot the gauge the diaphragm C and the conduit pipes and passages connecting the interior thereof with the interior of the member 42, are filled with air s o that the hydros atic head of, the fuel in the tank 30, on the a1 in the chamber of the member 42 produces a pressure in the .system which 'expands the diaphragm C an amount corresponding with this hydrostatic head and the expansion lof the diaphragm slackens the tate the shaft 198 in the clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 11, so that the amount of the expansion of the diaphragm C will be indicated by the the scale 213.. he gauge will thus indicate the level or quantity of the fuel in the tank 30, it being understood that the interior of the gaugeV and of the tank 30 aresubjected to atmospheric pressure. r

In order to supply air to the system I have provided the Y connection -185 and the pump 18850 that by actuating the plunger 216 ofl the pump the system may be kept fullof air, this being the desired condition.

There are some novel 'features inl the pump 188 and these will be apparent from Fig. 15. The plunger 216 carrles a Washer 217 and a cup packing 218, the latter being secured by means of anut 219,. The. cup packing 218 fits the bore`220 of the .pump and the construction just described is wellknown. I provide in the end of the plunger? 216 a port 221 which communicates with the space between the plunger and the inner wall of the pump, and also with a recess' 222 in the end of the langer. A ball valve 223is arranged in tievrecess 222 and cooperates with a seat 224 to prevent back flow of air through the passage 221 and into the annular space surrounding the plunger. The nut 219 has an opening 225 which serves as an outlet for the recess 222 so that when the plunger 216 is drawn to the left, as seen in Fig. 15, air will flow through the vpassage 221, past the valve 223 and through the opening' 225 into the pump chamber to the right ot the end of the plunger.

011 the return stroke of the plunger the ball 223 will prevent back flow and the air will be forced,` by lthe pressure thus created, through 'the port 226 past the check valve 227 andv out into the pipe 186, the latter beling connected with the pump by a common form of coupling 228.

There is a bore 229 in the body of the valve 188 and at the inner end of this bore position of the hand 212011* there is a spherical seat 23u against which the rubber disc 231' is pressed to prevent` backflow of air from the bore 229 into the plunger chamber of the pump. The disc 231 is enclosed, in a cup-shaped member Which'prevents lateral expansion of the disc and, therefore, insures against trouble from i the swellingl of the diic to such an extent 'as would interfere with the flow otair through the bore 229. The valve 227 has a stem 232 which projects through a plugl 233 that is screwed into the pump, there being suiiicient space in the plug 233 around the stem 232 to permit the discharge of air therethrough to the pipe 186. A spring 234,- arranged between the valve 227 and the plug 233, normally presses the valve against its seat 230. wire 197 andpermits the spring 209 torofitting in position on the tank with the extension 235 projecting into the latter, hav' ing'first inserted the screw 237, which has 'a head 238l at 4.one end provided with a beveled shoulder 239 to receive the end ot" the flange 236, as best shown in Fig. 19. A

nut 240, on the screw 237, cooperates with the outer surface of the fitting 164 and by turning the nut, and holding the screw 237 against turning, the screw maybe drawn through the fitting 164 and, in this operation, the extension 235 will be flattened against the interior of the tank 30,y as Shown in Fig. 16. The bore of the fitting 164 is just large enough to pass the head 238 ot" the screw A237 and also to pass the member :lt should also be here stated that the member 42 in the previously de3cribed conasl struetions, may be removed fromthe tank 3 0 ina similarnianner. The manner of attaching the fitting 184, just described, is particularlyuseful in applyingmy improved gauge to the tanks of vehicles now in use, as

it entirely obviates the necessity for soldering which is dangerous around a tank that. has had gasoline in it on account ot' the liability of an explosion oi' vapors that may remain in the tank.

While l have shown my gauge in connection with the fuel supply system of a motor vehicle, it will be understood that'the invention equally applicable to other conditions. such as indicating the level of the oil in the crank case and the pressure of the oil being Jfed to the bearings of a motor, or indicating liquid levels or quantities generally. While I have .illustrated what I now consider rto be the preferred form of my invention it is realized that the principles in- I, therefore, `claim such constructions as come within vthe scope of the appended claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, what l I claim is:

1. -In apparatus of the class described, .the combination of a hollow expansible member, means for subjecting said member to the pressure to be measured, a shaft, indicating ,1g means carried by said shaft, a laterally fiexible filament having one end connected to said member and its other end connected with said shaft so that the movements of said Iilament will rotate said shaft in one u direction, and means for rotating said shaft in the opposite direction.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the* combination'lofa hollow expansible member, means for sub]ecting the interior o`f--said member to the pressure to be measured, a

, shaft, indicatingI means carried by said shaft, a laterall flexible filament connected -at onev end wit said member. and having its otherl end" Wrapped around 'said shaft so as toI beable'to rotate the latter,"means for'limiting the expansion of said member,

nd'means. for rotating said shafty inioppositiontoxsaid filament..

3, 11i-apparatus of the class describedfthe, combination 'of' asupport, a hollow expan sible member-secured to said support, there bein l' passages in said support vthrough whic communication is established between the interior of said member, a shaft carried by saidsupport, indicating means carried' by said shaft, a laterally .flexible lament having one end connected' to. one 'side of' said memberand its other' end connected' tosaid shaft so as to rotate the latter in one 40 direction, and means for rotating said shaft l in opposition to said filament. t.

4. In" apparatus of the class describedmhe combination of a support having a hollow e`x Lwtension, a hollow expansible member having 5f one side secured to said support, tlpre being passages in'said support 'throughw ich communication is established between the interior of said member and said extension, a shaft carl ried by said support, indicating means carried by said shaft, a laterally flexible filament re i - il site sides of sai'd member to limit the expanhaving one end connected to one side of said member and its other end connected to said Shaft so as to rotate the latter in one direction, means carried by said support on opposion thereof, and means for rotating said 'shaft in oppsition to said filament.

5. In apparatus of the. class described, the oombinatlon of a support, a hollow expan- N sible member mounted .on said support, a

conduit having communication with the in terior of said member, a shaft carried by said support, a laterally flexible filament hav" one end connectedwith said member l and e other end wrapped aroundand. se-

curedv to said shaft so as to be capable of rotating the latter, indicatingmeans carried by said shaft, and a spring for rotating the said shaft in opposition to said filament.v

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support, a hollow expansible diaphragm comprising two corrugated discs, one of which is provlded with means, at its center, connectin it with said support, a conduit extending tirough said support and communicatingwith the interior of said diaphragm, a` shaft on said support, a lilament having one end connected to the central portion of the other of said discs and positioned so as to; ve endwise with the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm, the other end of said filament being connected with said. shaft`-`so as to rotatie the latter in one direction, indicating means on said shaft, and a spring for rotating said shaft in opposition to saldiilament. v

7. In apparatus. of the class described, the

combination of a support, a hollow nexpansible diaphragm comprising` two corrugated ,.dfscs, one of which is provided with means,

at its center, connecting it with said support,

'a conduit extending' through said support and communicati with the interior of said diaphragm, a shaft onsaid support, a filament having one end lconnected to the central portion of the otherof said discs and positioned so as tomove endwise with the ex-` pansion and contraction of the diaphragm,

the other end of said filamenty being connected with said shaftv so as to rotate the latterin one direction, indicating means on said shaft, means carried. by said support on Aopposite sides` of said diaphragm to limit the expansion thereof, and a spring for rotating said shaft in opposition to said fila.- ment. 1 f.

` A 8. In apparatus of thel class described, the combination of a support, two hollow expansible membersl mounted onopposite sides of said support, two independent shafts carried by saidfsupport, a dial having a plurality of scales thereon, indicating hands carriedby saidshafts and cooperating with said scales, two independent laterally flexible filaments each having-one end thereof operatively connected with said members respectively, so as to be movable endwise by the expansion and contraction thereof, the

other ends of said filaments being respec-` of said members, -a dialhavino' a plurality by said support and provided with indicating hands cooperating with said scales, respectively, a filament having onerend connected with one side of one of said members and its other end wrapped around one of said shafts so that the expandingand contractin movementsof said member are transmitted to onecof said shafts, a spring for rotating said shaft in opposition to saidt filament, and means for operatively' connecting the other of said shafts with the other of said members.

l10. In apparatus ofthe class the combination'of a shell, a sup ort therein,

said shell being'substantially alrtight, twohollow flexible members mounted on oppo-v site sides of said support, said support hav-l ing independent passages therein communieating, respectively, withthe interiors of said members, a dial having a lurality of I scales thereon, a plurality of sha ts mounted on said support, indicati vhands on said shafts coo erating with said scales, respec tively, a amont havin one end connected with one side of one o said members and its other end wrapped around one of said shafts so` that lthe' expanding l and contracting movements of said member are transmitted to said shaft, a' spring for rotating said shaft in opposition'to said' `filament, a lever fulcrumed on said support and connected with another of said members so as to be actuated by the latter a laterally flexible filament connectin said lever with the 'other of said shafts, an spring means cooperatc ing with the last-mentioned shaft to Arotate -it in one direction. v

11. In apparatus of the class described,

/ the combination `of a shell, a support secured therein Aand extending lengthwise through the central portion thereof, a U-shapedmember carried by said support, a shaft mount-l ed on said U-sbaped member, a -hollow ex pansible member having one side secured to said support, a laterall flexible filament having one end connecte with the opposite side of said memberand at its other end wrapped around and secured to said shaft seas to be capable of rotating the latter in one direction, a spring for rotating said shaft in the opposite direction, and indicat-- ing means carried by said shaft.

. port adjacent y described,l

1" 1Q, In apparatus of the class described, .55 of scales thereon, independent shafts carried.

having an extension which projects through I the closed end of the shell, means cooperating with. said extension and theouter side 1 of the closed end of the shell to secure said ,support therein, a dial carried by said suplthe open end of said she removable means for closing the o en endoi ,said shell, a hollow 'expansible iaphragm arranged substantially parallel with the axis 'of said shell and having one side thereof secured to said support, a shaft carried by said support and extending substantially parallel with said axis, indicating means on said Yshaft cooperating'with said dial, and.'

a laterallyexible filament operatively connecting said diaphragml` with said shaft whereby the movements of the diaphragm are caused to rotate the shaft. 1

13. In apparatus ofthe `class described,

the combination of a shell, a support mounted therein', a hollow expansible diaphragm having a plug secured to the center of one side thereof, said plug having a screw threaded connection wtih said support, a shaft carried'by said support, a laterally flexible filament connected with the center of said diaphragm and with said shaft and whereby the movements of' said diaphragm are Ytransmitted to said shaft, indicating means carried by said shaft, and a sprin' for rotating said shaft in opposition to said filament.

i4.' In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a shell, a support therein,

a hollow expansible member mounted `onv said` support, a conduit? extending to the exterior of said shell and having communication with the inte ior of said member, a

shaft carried by lsaid support,a laterally l iexible'iilament having one end wrapped around and secured to said shaft so as to be 4capable of rotating the latter, la spring having one end connected With said member .and the other end connected to .said filament for transmitting the movements of the memv ber to the filament, indicating means carried by said shaft, and a spring for rotating said, shaft in opposition to said filament. n testimony whereof Ialiix my si ature.

-1 LYLE K. 'SNLL 

